Agora - Live in Montreux. 1976 Italy

Agora's debut is an instrumental jazz rock album, as was common for the time and place. Mahavishnu Orchestra is once again a primary influence along with Weather Report and Holdsworth-era Soft Machine. Since this is a live recording, it's considerably rawer then their peers like Il Baricentro, Perigeo, and Nova, which gives it an extra bite these albums so often need. An excellent example of the style with emotive guitar, electric piano, and saxophone. Easy recommendation for jazz rock and fusion fans.

Ownership: LP: 1976 Atlantic. Acquired from Sound Garden in Baltimore while in town for business (2021). Originals come with a pop up tree cover and this one is in perfect shape, which is hard to find. 

My first copy was the Japanese promo LP (and sold March 2018) which does not feature the gimmix cover. Nor does the Italian mini-LP, though it does have a brief history in both Italian and English. Decided to sell it as well.

2003; 9/29/16 (new entry)

Spettri - 2973: La Nemica dei Ricordi. 2015 Italy

Apparently Spettri were formed in the year of our Lord 1964. Coincidentally, that's when yours truly was born. And since I'm no spring chicken, it wouldn't be a stretch to then figure these guys are all in their early 70s. Of course, their founding was probably at age 12 with a teen beat band named The Specters. Details are scarce. But I don't want facts to get in the way of a good story, so I need the plot to stay on this 70s thing. It's a key number. As in 1973. Or, as the band suggests, 2973. Most bands that reform from the 1970s seem to have this irrational desire to be relevant in today's music culture. There's something just silly about watching old guys perform on "laptop". Spettri avoids that trap, and manages to obtain hipster status with a bonafide Italian retro prog classic (one would presume by pure happenstance). Time has stood still as the band - and yes, mostly with original members intact - has created an album that would have stood tall in 1973 much less 2015. All the hallmarks of the scene are present: Hard rocking guitar with massive breaks, crunchy organ and soothing mellotron, creative rhythms, and gravelly impassioned vocals sung in the native tongue. The compositions are complex, melodic, and memorable, perfect for repeated listens. As one gentleman remarked in his review, this really is a comeback out of nowhere. One begins to wonder about time travel and phenomena of that nature.

Spettri have created an album that needs far more attention than it's obviously received to date.

Ownership: CD: 2015 Black Widow

9/23/16 (new entry)

Nova - Wings of Love. 1977 Italy-England

Nova's 3rd album Wings of Love sees the band heading further out in commercial waters. It would be easy to slag off Wings of Love on that fact alone, except this is a wonderful serious fusion album, with a couple of well-written radio styled jazz pop tunes mixed within. In other words, Nova is still more Mahavishnu Orchestra than George Benson. And besides how many Italian-UK combos have a song about the TV show Gunsmoke? A diamond in the rough if there ever was one

Ownership: LP: 1977 Arista. White label promo. Recent garage sale find (2024).

The US pressing has a different cover.

This replaces the Japanese papersleeve edition that made up the above review.

9/15/16 (new review); 6/14/24

Free System Projekt - Atmospheric Conditions. 2002 Netherlands

Atmospheric Conditions is a two CD set compiled of various outings from 2001 and 2002, including live stints in the USA and England. The Dutch collective Free System Projekt have long been considered one of the finest groups playing in the Berlin School revivalist style. Raging sequencers, mellotron overlays, and analog synthesizer soloing are the order of the day. Though the various tracks are all improvised, the sound is remarkably consistent, and the end result seem like variations on Tangerine Dream's Rubycon. In my mind, that is T. Dream's finest moment, so any group who can emulate that same composition style are much welcome here.

Ownership: CD: 2002 Quantum. 2xCD

From Discogs: Instruments used: Access Virus A, Arrick Synthesizers.com modular system, Yamaha A 3000 sampler/w Mellotron set, Yamaha A 4000 sampler/w Mellotron set, Doepfer MAQ 16/3 sequencers (2x), Clavia Nord Modular, Clavia Nordlead II, Eminent Solina Strings, Elka Rhapsody 610, EMS Synthi A, Arp Pro Soloist, Roland JP 8080, Korg MS-20, Korg MS 2000R, Yamaha S-30, Yamaha TG 500, Boss CE-1, Boss SE-50, Boss SE-70, Ensoniq DP/2, Lexicon MPX 100, MXR Phase 100

Track 1-1 played live at the Gathering, Ocober 13th, 2001.
Track 1-2 played live at Jodrell Bank, March 30th, 2002.
Track 1-3 played live at WDIY EMUSIC, October 12th, 2001.
Track 1-4 played live at Hampshire Jam, October 27th, 2001.
Track 2-1 played live at Ruud Heij's studio during the sessions of summer 2001.
Track 2-2 played live at Star's End radioshow, October 14th, 2001.
Track 2-3 played live at Ruud Heij's studio during the sessions of summer 2001.
Track 2-4 played live at Jodrell Bank, March 30th, 2002.
Track 2-5 Echoes feature: Free System Projekt's Spontaneous Creations. Produced for Echoes, the radio program of ambient and world fusion music heard on stations across the United States.

2003 (first listen); 9/14/16 (review / new entry)

Taal - Mister Green. 2000 France

On their debut album, Taal carefully skate the fine line between progressive rock and musical genre hopping. There is a difference. The former integrates influences into the full composition, whereas the latter throws a bunch of mud on the wall on the hopes something will stick. The first three tracks demonstrate that Taal are a force to be reckoned with, taking the 1970s French progressive masters into the modern age regarding instrumentation (heavier guitars, better production techniques) as well as filtering the best moments of the past. But once 'Ragtime' begins, Taal takes everything to the next level. Suddenly there's no comprehensive whole, and various factions are at war with each other as to what the album's music is to be. Something akin to ordering a Supreme pizza, where there's tons of ingredients, but someone in the kitchen lost focus on the crust, sauce, and cheese. (I always think in terms of food. In fact, what's in the fridge right now?...). In any case, there's still plenty of tracks to enjoy on their own, primarily 'Aspartamus', but the craziness detracts from what could have been a focused piece of art.

Ownership: CD: 2000 Musea. Standard jewel case release

Removed from collection (2020)

2001; 9/11/16 (new entry)

Jukka Tolonen Ramblin' Jazz Band - Jazz Liisa 03. 1973 Finland (archival)

If there's an artist that is neglected in my collection, it would have to be Jukka Tolonen. Even though I possess his first 2 albums, it's been ages since I last heard them, and I can't recall much either. Truth be told, the same could be said about Tasavallan Presidentti, excepting my recent listen to their own Liisa session. In fact, Tolonen's studio concert is very similar to his own groups' foray. Even though 'Ramblin' is a track taken from his debut album, it actually serves better as a metaphor for the band itself, at least as evidenced by this concert. These are two lengthy excursions (the other track coming from Summer Games), where the band seem at ease improvising in front of the studio audience. There are no fiery rave-ups, or complex changes, but rather the band just sort of... rambles along. There's more diverse instrumentation here than with Tasavallan Presidentti, including trumpet, that befits more a jazz session than rock. This is easy listening for veterans of the early 70s jazz rock movement, and is yet again another fantastic find from the good folks at Svart.

Personal collection
CD: 2016 Svart w/KOM Quartet

VIII Strada - Babylon. 2015 Italy

VIII Strada are an Italian prog band trapped in a power metal body. Or are they a power metal band trapped in an Italian prog body? Hmmm. Either way, I've more or less described the album for you. And no, it's not prog metal either. The Italian vocals and sophisticated structures point to their progressive rock heritage. The melodic songwriting with choruses and (slightly) metal tone give them the power metal edge. I'd say they are 65% prog / 35% power metal. Not that genres only matter, but it does give some guidance at least. Oh - yes - the music is quite good actually. There's a mid 70s vibe to their melodies that I find highly appealing. Personally I would wish for more of a "retro prog" feel, but who asked? Nobody. For those who like "fusion" restaurants, and I don't mean jazz.

Sold the CD (2021)

9/9/16 (new entry); 10/10/21

The Great Imperial Yo-Yo - Chicken Island. 1996 England

With a name like The Great Imperial Yo Yo, an album titled Chicken Island, a label named Bongheads, and a booklet filled with cartoons that look like Dilbert on acid, one can be forgiven in presuming this album will sound like part of Gong's Flying Teapot trilogy. And in some ways it does, except mercifully without so much of that Pothead Pixie silliness. What you do get is coherence where it is most needed, and that's with the instrumental component. This is more Hillage's Gong than Allen's, that is to say. And while the icons of the UK Festival movement - that of the Ozric Tentacles - are definitely in the same ballpark, Great Imperial Yo Yo's sound is tilted towards the 70s, with more jazz rock influences than most of their peers.

Ownership: CD: 1996 Bongheads (Belgium)

Chicken Island came along very late in the game for the primary round of the UK Festival Psych scene, and few noticed its existence initially. Bongheads is the cultural magazine Crohinga Well's (Belgium) own label. It took me some years to finally secure my own copy for a decent price, so don't miss out if you happen to run across it.

Hopefully someone will also reissue the Blink! cassette as well (from 1993). I have it on CD-R and it's just as good as Chicken Island.

9/9/16 (new entry)

Jukka Hauru & Superkings - Pop Liisa 02. 1973 Finland (archival)

Finnish guitarist Jukka Hauru had two fine albums from the 70s (Information, Episode) before hanging up his music career for the writing pen. Both are still quite obscure due to a lack on any modern reissue. This all instrumental live concert encapsulates perfectly the sound of both, most notably the raw and edgy Information. As I state on that review, it's quite apparent Hauru is influenced mightily by a one Frank Zappa, though for this live concert, the humor bits have been completely rubbed out. Other guideposts include Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report.

In listening to this set, it probably would have been a better fit for the "Jazz Liisa" series. All the same, Hauru has just enough progressive rock sound and composition style to qualify for the genre. And one reason for this is violinist Juhani "Jupu" Poutanen, whose nickname would lead to another obscure band without a proper reissue (prior, Svart has since rectified that): Jupu Group. A band that now also has a Pop Liisa concert available to purchase. Poutanen is one of the "Superkings", a made-up-on-the-spot moniker meant as a joke to counter the quintet being called by the local music press a "supergroup". So melodic and shredding violin with electric guitar define this kinetic set. It really is too bad Hauru called it a day, as he had some fiery chops to display. Keyboards and an agile rhythm section round out the ensemble.

Worth noting that opener 'Mai-Ling' appears to start in mid-jam form, but as it turns out, the first 3 minutes of the tape had been damaged, so they salvaged what they could. Also of note, both 'Twilight Time' and 'Angel' are previously unreleased tracks. Yet another essential pick up for fans of early 70s Finnish progressive jazz rock.

Ownership: CD: 2016 Svart. On the same CD with Tasavallan Presidentti (Pop Liisa 01). See that entry for more details.

9/17/16 (new entry)

Hoenig / Gottsching - Early Water. 1976 Germany (archival)

Early Water sounds exactly what you expect from Michael Hoenig and Manuel Gottsching circa 1976. Somewhat like New Age of Earth meets Departure From the Northern Wasteland, with sequencers raging and Gottsching letting loose on the electric guitar - more so than he did on New Age of Earth. Apparently this recording was made in the studio just before the duo were to embark on a tour of France, which was cancelled at the last minute. Fortunately Gottsching kept the tapes and sent to Hoenig (nearly 20 years later) who was then residing in Los Angeles as a studio producer. So the whole thing sounds magnificent. If all this resonates with you, this CD is a must own. Otherwise, maybe not the best place to start with either artist, as a 48 minute continuous track may be a bit much to open with.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Spalax (France). Purchased new when released. The original CD came out on Bernd Kistenmacher's Musique Intemporelle label in 1995, and was repressed by Spalax in 1997 housed in a digi-pak. Today, either CD is incredibly scarce and expensive. I would expect another issue at some point, especially since it's never been pressed on LP.

Modry Efekt - Nova Synteza. 1971 Czech Republic

Nova Synteza is Modry Efekt's second album (not counting the co-release with Jazz Q Praha), and quite a departure from the blues rock/Czech pop oriented Meditace. I think the first thing one will pick up on this album is just how BIG it sounds. The Czechoslovak Radio Jazz Orchestra (or its indigenous name Jazzový orchestr Československého rozhlasu) proved to be quite the rockin' bunch, and Modry Efekt does a great job integrating with the difficult charts. For 1971 Czechoslovakia, this album is quite an extraordinary accomplishment. It is here that Radim Hladik begins to demonstrate his immense chops on the electric guitar. There's really no album quite like this one. It's not a rock meets orchestra type release, as many a UK band did back then (Deep Purple, Caravan, etc...). Nor is it a large scale horn rock band like Chicago on steroids. The album is all instrumental, and maintains a healthy tempo throughout. Blue Effect Blues is a bit typical of the medium, until the second half when Hladik feels the need to polish off a few licks. And 'Clinging Ivy' (3rd track) sounds a bit too familiar at times with some of its cliched orchestra type melodies. Otherwise, this is an album not to be missed, both from a modern aesthetic perspective, as well as an historical one.

Personal collection
CD: 2009 Supraphon (as The Blue Effect 1969-1989 9 CD compilation)

Caedmon. 1978 Scotland

Caedmon are a Christian folk rock band from Scotland, with a psychedelic streak that comes many years past others of this sound. Perhaps Mellow Candle, Agincourt, and Spirogyra are good guideposts here, and the music is clearly anachronistic for 1978. Crystal clear female vocals, acoustic guitar, String Synthesizer, cello, and a fuzz tone guitar define this fine work. A very pleasant, breezy, somewhat harmless psychedelic album. Its reputation is well deserved for the style, though it's very much inside the rails, so not one likely to wow anyone but the most dedicated progressive folk rock collector.

Personal collection

CD: 1995 Nices/Si-Wan (Korea)

The original LP is incredibly rare and sought after (as in 4 digits). The original also includes an additional 45 single. Funny to read the Discogs sales history for the original LP. Median price: $24.55. Yea. Of course, if you drill down on the sales history, you'll see that they are all commented as reissues, and simply placed there incorrectly. Unfortunately, Discogs has a lot of bad data like that which needs cleaning up. 

It appears I first picked up this CD in the mid 90s. And that CD is a co-production of Nices and Si-Wan. The former is a division of manufacturing giant Samsung, and the high quality CD is pressed by them. In effect, though, it's simply a repress of the Kissing Spell release from England, and is credited as such.

Kissing Spell, apparently, have issues with Christianity. They don't have the balls to say it as such, but that's exactly what it is. They hide behind the following phrase: "Kissing Spell is opposed to all forms of mysticism/religion - the sentiments expressed on this record in no way reflect those of K. Spell." Do you really think this would have been appended were the album representing Shinto, Hindu, Norse Mythology, or Islam? You know the answer already. I do tire of this kind of disguised hypocrisy. They even titled the final track simply as 'Give Me....' leaving out Jesus as originally presented. That's just pathetic. If it was 'Give me Thor', you think they would have changed it? Accept the music as it was presented and let others do the judging on their own. Leaves me with a bad taste for the label.

Deus Ex Machina - Devoto. 2016 Italy

Deus Ex Machina go back to their hard rocking roots on Devoto. It's a surprising return to form, especially for a band who had dabbled in more academic avant prog waters for such a long time. Hard rock guitar, crunchy organ, shredding violin, a driving rhythm section, and the Demetrios Stratos-like soaring Italian vocals of Alberto Piras, define this fine album. It's not dumbo hard rock either, but very much the complex sound of the early 70s. Truth be told, classic Italian prog was always more heavy than ever given credit for. Even bands like Area and Arti+Mestieri kicked out the jams once in awhile. If you listen to the early Deus Ex Machina albums, this is the sound you'll find, except now with more vintage gear in tow. Devoto is about as grimy, nasty, and dirty-under-the-fingernails as you'll ever hear on the refined Cuneiform label. My kind of album.

Ownership: CD: 2016 Cuneiform (USA). Jewel case.

9/2/16 (new entry)

Mythos - Concrete City. 1979 Germany

Mythos, under the direction of Stephan Kaske, were always an odd bird. Never fitting convention, they went on to release a number of albums that do not fit any preconceived notion. Concrete City was the latter of two "normal rock band" albums from Mythos. Kaske couldn't sing to save his life, but yet he continued on cluelessly here, always offsetting that weakness with his brilliant flute and synthesizer play, and having the smarts to employ an excellent guitarist. I can assure you, Concrete City sounds nothing like anything you've heard prior - yet it is familiar all the same. There's symphonic progressive, electronic, NDW, AOR, and hard rock all within the confines here. I find this album more enjoyable now than ever. One of those unique albums that are worth holding onto. Not one to win any awards, but well worth your time to give an ohr.

Ownership: LP: 1979 Venus. Single sleeve. Online acquisition. It was still sealed, after all these years! This replaced the Zyx CD that made up the above review.

12/22/21